Summary

The blood supply to the eye is mainly from the ophthalmic artery, which is a branch of the internal carotid artery. The drainage system of the eye involves the ophthalmic vein and the central retinal vein.

Ophthalmic artery

The ophthalmic artery is a branch of the internal carotid artery. It gives off orbital branches and optical branches.

Diagram showing the ophthalmic artery and its branches.

Orbital branches of the ophthalmic artery:

• Lacrimal
• Supraorbital
• Posterior ethmoidal
• Anterior ethmoidal
• Medial palpebral

Optical branches of the ophthalmic artery:

• Long posterior ciliary artery
• Short posterior ciliary artery
• Anterior ciliary artery
• Central retinal artery

We will go through each of these arteries in turn.

Orbital branches of the ophthalmic artery

Lacrimal artery